Brisbane rallies to stop domestic violence

CANDLE light burnt brightly into the night in front of a crowd determined to put a stop to domestic violence in Brisbane.

More than 100 people gathered in South Bank's forecourt on Wednesday night to mark Domestic Violence Awareness month, a group dressed in black holding the numbers one through to 18 - the number of people killed in domestic violence incidences in Queensland last year.

Ten women, two men and three children were killed in 2013, another three perpetrators committing suicide after the tragic incident.

Black cut-out silhouettes of men, women and children further illustrated the fatalities.

Paul Gray was just one who shared his story with the crowd, the north Queensland man losing his girlfriend and being shot and burnt himself after her ex-boyfriend stormed into their home.

It was in 2006 when Mick Staines stormed into a Patrick Street home in Aitkenvale, Townsville, to find his ex-girlfriend Claire Carey and Mr Gray together about 1.30am.

He shot Mr Gray in the head first before turning the gun onto Claire. He doused Mr Gray in petrol and set him alight before turning the gun on himself.

Mr Gray spoke at the rally to garner support for awareness into domestic violence issues and said he had driven past the home several times, but never re-entered.

He said, despite everything, he would do it all again.

"I would do it right this time - I would save Claire."

The lawyer said he wanted more support for potential perpetrators and those convicted of domestic violence crimes.

"The message is getting out there for the victims that they shouldn't stay," Mr Gray said.

"We need more focus on the perpetrators though, we need rehabilitation."

Bonnie Anderson, the sister of young mother Bianca Faith Girven who was killed in 2010 by her partner, shared a reading to the crowd on Wednesday night.

The poem, "Remember My Name" was written by Kimberly A. Collins in 1995 to draw attention to the stories of domestic violence victims.

Several runners will run the "Darkness to Daylight" 110km marathon overnight - the number of kilometres representing the number of people killed in one year Australia-wide.

The front-runner will always 'light the way' with a candle with about four people expected to run the entire 110km.

Others will join the marathon for the final 10km, expected to end in the Cultural Forecourt in Southbank in daylight on Thursday.

Minister for Community safety Tracy Davis also spoke to the crowd - one of the largest since the awareness rallies began.

She encouraged more people to observe Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month with this year's message 'Don't let concern become regret - make the call to DVConnect'.

"It's better to be embarrassed (and speak out) than be regretful," she said.

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